Saturday May 17, 1952Went to The Stomp tonight. Went home with three little punks. Got in at a very respectable hour at 1:30am.

Tex and his brother came down tonight before I left. Say man is his brother good looking, but he is still married and getting a divorce, so he is positively nowhere in my book.

Sunday May 18, 1952Wrote a nice cool letter to Tommy today, but cool. I accepted his date for this coming Saturday night. He better come too, nothing I can do about it if he doesn’t though.

Wednesday May 21, 1952Tommy called me today at my work, all the way from the base in Oceanside.

Thursday May 22, 1952Sid and that other guy that I picked up May 13th came down tonight, but I was in my pajamas so I couldn’t go out with them.

Friday May 23, 1952Quit work today. Got a letter from Betty Jo today. I really think it is time enough for her to say something. She says she hasn’t heard from Dannie or David in a month, not that she cares. She says “all men are a bunch of dirty rats anyway.”

I had my first cycle race today with Ted, and say I just haven’t been living right before tonight. I’d sure like to buy one of those and drive it all around.

Doug came down tonight with his new 49’ Ford. I don’t care two hoots about him. I used to like him last summer and I used to think he could kiss positively, definitely, perfectly flawless, but his kisses are strictly stink-o now I think. He is strictly for the birds, but I don’t believe the birds will have him. Oh well, everybody can’t be perfect.

Saturday May 24, 1952Went out with Tommy tonight to the Riverside Rancho with Bonnie and her boyfriend and the other kids. I guess he’s a pretty nice guy. I got in at quarter after 3am. I don’t think I ever drank as much beer, I was just guzzling it down like crazy! But man it sure was lush. I wish Tommy would hold me closer to him. The tighter and closer I am to a guy as far as chests are concerned the better I like it. I’d sure like to neck with Paul Engel again. I feel so secure and safe when I am in his arms.

Sunday May 25, 1952 Tommy took me to Long Beach today and I got a flawless tan. The water was heavenly, but Tommy didn’t go in. I love to swim, if the water is lukewarm and mild anyhow. I wish Tommy would French Kiss me sometimes and hold me real close, but I guess I should be satisfied with what I have.

Vilma in the waters at Long Beach

I’m afraid I didn’t play it cool tonight when saying good-bye to him. I mildly threw myself at him for a few minutes there. He said he’d write me a letter, but now I’m not so sure. So I’m sending him a post card telling him I’m down with the measles and not to come this weekend. If he intends to drop me, at least I made the last move anyhow, and if he really likes me he’ll be back anyhow. It’s a bit on the cool side, the post card that is.

Vilma’s Dating Do’s and Don’ts

Oh no, poor Betty Jo! While she’s been away at the maternity home, are we really surprised that she has not heard from either of her so-called boyfriend’s? Betty Jo’s dating exploits have turned into real serious life consequences, a child is going to be born! Will Dannie the father ever show back up? We’ll still have to wait and see…

Of course Vilma’s dating escapades are not as serious as Betty Jo’s dramatic life, as we’ve seen she likes to try to keep things more fun and light. So as we’re coming to the half way point of the 1952 diary, I hope to amuse you and provide a refresher on some of Vilma’s toughest dating do’s and don’ts:

When you throw yourself at a guy and want it to look like you didn’t really mean it, play it cool, real cool. Avoid the next date by telling him you have the measles.

No Halitosis…. Ever. Don’t be afraid to let him in on the bitter truth.

If you’ve planned a double date with your girlfriend, and your girlfriend can’t make it, don’t let that stop you. Two guys are better than one!

No dough? Flirt with a guy in the parking lot at The Stomp so he can pay your entrance fee, then ditch the jerk when you get in.

Never date a man who is just not that into you. Why waste your time when there’s a sailor on every corner just waiting to be picked up?

Don’t go steady with a man until absolutely ready (remember, you’re too young to die)

No married men. Vilma’s go-to line when a married man asks her out? “Hit the Road Bum”

No arrogant men or men who think they are God’s gift to women. And certainly not the kind with those newfangled automatic car door locks, you’ll never be able to escape from the car if he gets too fresh!

Don’t go past the point of no turning back, you’ll end up like Betty Jo.

And the most important one of all: Do go to church and confession on a regular basis. It provides strength for the soul.

It’s become pretty clear that she has her own unique way of handling the guys, doesn’t she? Oh how she can really dish it out! We’ve seen so many of her antics, female charms and let’s not forget that tough girl persona. I’ll now leave you with one of my all-time favorite one-liners that I’ve read in the diaries so far:

When you are really and truly through with a guy, you must declare: “He is strictly for the birds, but I don’t believe the birds will have him.”